Grace Clark, PharmD, MPH
Hometown: Austin, TX
Pharmacy School: The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy
Grace chose AdventHealth Orlando for residency because the hospital has tons of rotation options to choose from and all the preceptors were very welcoming during her interview. Grace is most excited to explore her areas of interest (Emergency Medicine and Critical Care) and get to know her co-residents better. Grace enjoys reading, baking, gardening, and going on walks/hikes. Grace just moved to Orlando and is excited to explore the beaches and wildlife preserves. Florida has lots of rare, native orchids and Grace is excited to go looking for them in places like the Everglades. She also got a membership to Leu Gardens and plans to visit often throughout the year. Grace's career goals post PGY1 are to explore a PGY2 in either Emergency Medicine or Critical Care. She would also like to become a preceptor within the next few years.
Mikayla Texido, PharmD
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Pharmacy School: Duquesne University
Mikayla chose AdventHealth because of the large class size, unique elective opportunities, and the large patient population. Mikayla is looking forward to advancing towards her goals as a pharmacist, meeting new people, taking care of a broad range of patients, and forming connections with preceptors and other healthcare workers across AdventHealth. Outside of work, Mikayla enjoys hiking, traveling, and yoga. Mikayla is new to the Orlando area and is looking forward to going to the springs, finding nearby hikes, and taking a weekend trip to the beach. Mikayla's career goals post residency are to complete a PGY2 and become specialized in an area of interest. From there, she is also interested in becoming a preceptor and resource for future students and residents to achieve their goals.
Rachel Peña, PharmD
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Pharmacy School: University of Florida - Orlando Campus
Rachel chose AdventHealth for residency because of the variety of rotations and experiences offered within the program and the large diverse patient population at the Orlando campus. Rachel is most excited about sharpening her skills to become a clinical pharmacist and working with her co-residents, RPD, and preceptors. She is also looking forward to hanging out with her co-residents outside of the pharmacy to show them around Orlando. Rachel enjoys gardening, film photography, and going to concerts and music festivals. Rachel is not new to the Orlando area but enjoys hanging out with friends and family and trying out new restaurants in Orlando. Rachel's career goals post PGY1 residency are to pursue a PGY2 in her interest of either infectious diseases or pediatrics.
Inyeong (Laura) Choi, PharmD
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Pharmacy School: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Boston campus
Dr. Choi chose AdventHealth Orlando for residency because of the diverse rotation opportunities and large residency class. Laura is most excited for getting to know many residents and preceptors as well as working on various projects. Laura enjoys watching baseball games, going to national parks, and doing water sports. Laura is new to the Orlando area, so very excited to try different lakes, beaches, and theme parks. Laura's career goals post-residency are to explore a PGY2 in Cardiology or Oncology. Laura wants to contribute to pharmacy meaningfully by continuing research and publishing articles.
Maryam Alarfaj, PharmD
Hometown: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Pharmacy School: Pacific University
Maryam chose AdventHealth for residency because of its strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating a welcoming environment for residents from all backgrounds. The program offers a wide range of specialties, providing exposure to diverse clinical experiences and allowing for broad professional development. Being part of a large residency class also fosters a strong sense of community, collaboration, and peer support—enhancing both personal growth and clinical training. During the interview, Maryam felt an immediate connection with the preceptors and residents, whose warmth and authenticity made it clear that AdventHealth was a place where she could truly belong and thrive. This year, Maryam is most excited to build strong connections with her co-residents and immerse herself in diverse clinical and non-clinical experiences across specialties. She looks forward to growing professionally in a supportive environment and making a meaningful impact on patients' lives as part of the AdventHealth team. Maryam enjoys spending time in nature by going for peaceful walks outdoors, crocheting, and cooking—especially trying new recipes and sharing meals with loved ones. As someone new to the Orlando area, Maryam is excited to explore the city’s vibrant food scene, visit local parks, and experience popular attractions like the theme parks. She’s also looking forward to discovering hidden gems around Central Florida, spotting native wildlife like alligators in their natural habitats. Maryam’s career goals post-residency include completing a PGY-2 to further specialize and enhance her clinical expertise. She looks forward to working as a clinical pharmacist and using her skills to provide high-quality, patient-centered care while giving back to and serving her community.